Closure hinge



Aug. 16, 1932. N. H. FORBES GMJSURE HINGE Filed Feb. 4, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l fili'aizjfinas' I n venior A Home y N. H. FORBES CLOSURE HINGE Filed Feb. 4, 1932 Patented Aug. 16, 1932 PATENT OFFICE NELSON E. FORBES, f DETROIT, MICHIGAN CLOSURE HINGE Application filed February 4, 1982. Serial No. 590,921.

This invention relates to improvements in the broad class of closures and it has more specific reference to a novel hinge arrangement which is especially but not necessarily adapted for use in connection with horizontally swingable doors, particularly automobile doors.

My rincipal aim is to generally improveupon oor hinges by providing a structure 10. which is believed to be more satisfactory and eflicient in performance, positive and dependable in action and smooth and quiet in operation, susceptible of expeditious lubrication,

capable of quick installation and repair, and otherwise capable of fufilling the requirements of an invention of this class in a practicable and desirable manner. I

In addition, it is submitted that the invention constitutes a novel and appreciable contribution to the art and trade in that it is of such structural character as to permit it to be characterized as a'mechanical achievement which is simple, durable and economical, a moderate advance in the art and sufficient- 1y unique as to be readily distinguishable because of the special selection and unification of features. '1

Other features and advantages and desirable results will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawings; "if

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view showing a fragmentary portion of an automobile, its door and the improved hinges installed.

Figure 2 is an enlarged horizontal section on the line -2-2 of'Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the relatively movable leaf or parts of the hinge.

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the panion fixed leaf of the hinge, and

Figure 6 is a detail section taken vertically on the plane of the line 6-6 of Figure 2.

In the drawings the body of the earis denoted by the numeral 7 while the door is distinguished' by the numeral 8. The door frame in Figure 2 is represented by the nucom-.7

meral 9, the upholstery is indicated at 10 in the interior, and the sheet metal out of covering is represented by the numeral 11. If desired the upholstery may be provided with a customary Weather excluding bead 12. Moreover as denoted by the numeral 13 the sheet metal covering 11 is formed to provide a double thickness flange which bridges the hinge joint between the body and door to function as an exterior weather strip.

As seen in Figure 3 the door frame is countersunk to receive the attaching flange 14 of an L-shaped member 15 of the improved hinge, said flange being secured in place by appropriate fasteners 16. The companion part of the hinge is distinguished by the numeral 17 and this functions as the hanger, the same having its free end portion mounted and provided with a pair of upper and lower hinge knuckles 18 and 19 respectively; .These hinge knuckles cooperate with the intervening complemental knuckle 20 on the fixed part 21 of the hinge. This part in the form of a rectangular plate which is set into a recess formed in the frame post 22. Theplate is formed with screw threaded holes 23 toreceive the blunt threaded end of the attaching bolt 24 which extends through the post in the manner illustrated plainly in Figure 2. The outer surface of the part 17 is formed with a groove 25 forming a seat for the reception of the flange 13 allowing the flange to lie flush with the body covering of the car.

The part 17 fits into a groove formed in the post 22 and the hinge is located in relatiton to the post as designated in Figure Moreover there is a sprocket 26 formed in the metal covering to provide clearance allowing freedom of action of the hinge.

The improved hinges are believed to be of a more dependable and correctivetype than miliar. It will be observed that the portions of the respective parts of the hinge which. is

secured to the door and body respectively are similar hinges with whichI am generally fadoor and being of the special design and construction illustrated are less likely to become hinged or damaged, when the door is opened or closed by hasty and thoughtless individuals. In fact it is believed that the hinges constructed and arranged as illustrated in the drawings will distribute strain and equalize stress in such a manner as to measure up to the requirements of equipment and accessories of this class. Particularly do I wish to emphasize the smooth flush finish which is created by these novel hinges. Then too, the bearing of this hinge is placed'on the side of the body or post in such a manner as will permit the full use of the door opening'in contradistinction to the customary strap and so called butt type hinge now commonly used.

Should an automobile designer decide to place a raised moulding or belt of an automobile body beneath the windows, the outer section of the hinge may have a raised convex surface to conform to the shape of said mouldin It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawings will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the in vention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

stantially even with the outer face of the post, a relatively movable hinge member of general L-shaped form including an attach ing flange secured to the door frame, and a laterally directed part extending across the outer face of the post and-terminating in complemental knuckles pivotally pinned to the first named-knuckle, the outer surface of the laterally directed part of the L-shaped hinge member being formed with a groove to accommodate a projecting weather excluding flange forming a part of the outer sheet metal covering of the door.

2. In a structure of the class described, and in combination, a sheet metal covered car body including a vertical frame post and a part of the sheet metal within the vicinity of a portion of said post being formed with a hinge joint clearance pocket, a relatively stationary hinge plate having a plurality of screw threaded holes, bolts extending through the holes for clamping the plates securely against the post, the outer end portion of said plate having a hinge knuckle projecting into said pockets, a horizontally swingable door including a frame, and a sheet metal covering, an L-shaped hinge member having its inturned end portion forming an attaching flange secured to the door frame, the remaining part of the hinge member e tending transversely across the outer face of said post and terminating in a pair of knuckles located in said pocket and pivotally pinned to the first named knuckle, and the outer face of said last named part of the L-shaped member being formed with a recess to accommodate a projecting weather flange formed on the door covering.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

NELSON H. FORBES. 

